Championing the Future of STEM: Inside the WISE Young Professionals’ Board
Entirely voluntary, this inspiring group of 13 members is on a mission to support and empower the next generation of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). In this ever-evolving industry, the WISE Young Professionals’ Board (YPB) stands out as a passionate and purpose-driven collective of early-career professionals.
Each member is carefully selected, representing a different company to avoid monopolisation and to ensure a wide range of experiences and voices are heard. Each member of the board brings something different, but all have a share commitment to achieving gender parity in STEM.
Founded under the Women into Science and Engineering (WISE) Campaign umbrella, the YPB is driven by a powerful vision: to create a more inclusive, welcoming, and representative STEM environment. Their mission is to engage, communicate, and build relationships that foster support for young women in STEM and highlight real stories behind the statistics.
The board collaborates with partners such as HarperCollins, as well as their own personal and professional networks to amplify their reach and aid in their goal
Lucy Davies, Aerospace Engineer at BAE Systems, serves as Chair of the YPB, leading with clarity and purpose. For her, STEM is more than a career, it’s a lifelong journey of curiosity, learning, and impact. She brings that energy to the board, championing initiatives that reach younger audiences and inspire mentors in STEM to guide the next generation.
Lucy’s motivations are rooted in both personal experience and broader industry challenges. “We wanted to spread that community further through our podcast and share our experiences for others, so they feel less alone,” she says. This ethos gave rise to the Unfiltered STEM podcast, a candid and authentic series that explores everything from imposter syndrome to workplace harassment, highlighting the very real issues women face in STEM roles today.
Our goal is to connect. Whether it’s through ‘survival guide’ episodes offering career advice, or spotlighting alternative paths into STEM such as apprenticeships, the YPB is committed to showing that there isn’t just one way to succeed. University isn’t the only route, and we’re working on an upcoming series that showcases those varied paths.
Despite being based all over the country, they meet frequently not only for work, but also to offer encouragement to one another and lighten the mental load of being women in industries that aren’t always entirely welcoming to young and ambitious women. While joining the board is a rare opportunity, they aim to share the ‘group chat’ support through their resources and podcasts. The YPB reminds us of the strength in sharing stories: “If we make one person feel less alone in the industry, then we’ve done our job.”
Discover the YPB’s journey and stories on the Unfiltered STEM podcast: search for Unfiltered STEM on Spotify or visit wisecampaign.org.uk/young-professionals-board